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Post by WVfishguy on Sept 29, 2018 6:25:36 GMT
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stormmaster
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I like viking/migration era swords
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Post by stormmaster on Sept 29, 2018 7:31:34 GMT
the lief Erickson sword is actually based on the Dyback sword, thing is this is more based on the marto version of it and the problem is they fused the scabbard locket and the guard together, so the bottom portion of the guard is actually meant to be from the scabbard locket, still a interesting fantasy sword now tho
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 10:12:30 GMT
The #501651 Lief would be a killer without the fittings fused together. It has been a long time but I believe it was Oakeshott's Archaeology of Weapons where I first saw that but seen elsewhere as well.
It looks like Windlass is looking to compete with the costume crowd and rennies with a ready to wear ensemble.
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Post by MOK on Sept 29, 2018 11:22:24 GMT
The other problem with the Leif is that they also had to design the pommel from scratch because it's missing on the original, and I don't think this (nor Marto's) design quite matches the rest of the furniture.
PS. And of course they both have an overly long grip, like almost all non-custom viking sword reproductions...
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Sept 29, 2018 12:32:34 GMT
But still...for belt bling, they look pretty nice. The Ashdown might have light zinc alloy hilt fittings, that may be an issue...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 12:36:44 GMT
I definitely like the looks of the Leif. Not sure if the hilt components are bronze, brass, or zinc alloy. I don't really like zinc alloy. The scabbard is definitely a step in the right direction in terms of authenticity. I think I might bite the bullet and get one of these.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 12:42:19 GMT
It's really silly both Marto and Windlass would make the mistake of fusing the scabbard throat to the hilt. Even sillier that Windlass would repeat the mistake. It still looks nice.
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Post by MOK on Sept 29, 2018 13:10:15 GMT
Yeah, no question, it's bling as all heck. But also yeah, it looks like a fairly direct copy of the Marto replica, warts and all, rather than a reproduction of the historical original.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 13:16:19 GMT
I think it's close enough to the original. The hilt has a mistake and the missing pommel they patterned off the Marto version. The handle grip is different and is quite decorative. The scabbard looks pleasing and the peen looks like it's fairly solid. I've read fairly good things about their Viking era swords, so I think I am willing to give this one a try. I realize the handle is large, but my hands are the size of hams, so this ought to fit me well. Since no one has reviewed this yet, it will definitely be a crapshoot, but I think it retains enough of the original sword to be considered a replica, it's just not meticulously well researched. Honestly, why can't they consult a historian? It's really silly at this point.
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Post by nerdthenord on Sept 29, 2018 13:21:15 GMT
The Leif Erickson is bling as can be, but I wouldn't actually try using it. Fun fact: the Windlass Ashdown sword is not a Windlass design either. They purchased the rights to the design from a store called Grimfrost, which used to sell it under the name Tyr sword.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 13:32:47 GMT
Why wouldn't you use it, nerd? Windlass is clearly trying to step its game up a bit. The Suontaka sword is really decorative, but I've seen plenty of reviews where buyers have had some fun cutting with it.
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Post by nerdthenord on Sept 29, 2018 13:36:41 GMT
Why wouldn't you use it, nerd? Windlass is clearly trying to step its game up a bit. The Suontaka sword is really decorative, but I've seen plenty of reviews where buyers have had some fun cutting with it. Sorry, gotta clarify. I wouldn’t seriously use it because I would mainly use it as a functional decorative piece. I have absolutely no doubt the blade is fine, but I am weary of a hilt with that much bling at that price, if you understand. I wouldn’t want to damage it. I was trying to make a personal opinion, not say nobody should use it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 13:48:34 GMT
I understand. I think they're trying to balance the decorative elements with functionality. The trouble is, they still need a lot of work. They need to keep grinding until they get an actual spatulate tip, the grip should be smaller, and they cannot make silly mistakes like fusing the scabbard throat to the hilt. It's just silly. I definitely would not abuse something so decorative looking, apart from the odd water bottle being massacred.
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Post by WVfishguy on Sept 29, 2018 15:37:18 GMT
I don't think Windlass has much choice but to make their Viking swords with oversize grips. I've read numerous complaints about "the grip is too small, it hurts my hand..." I guess Windlass doesn't want to tell these folks, "Well, if you ever touched anything heavier than a keyboard mouse, your hands wouldn't be so soft, you candy-ass." Not the way to win over customers, but oh so true.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 15:42:29 GMT
I don't think Windlass has much choice but to make their Viking swords with oversize grips. I've read numerous complaints about "the grip is too small, it hurts my hand..." I guess Windlass doesn't want to tell these folks, "Well, if you ever touched anything heavier than a keyboard mouse, your hands wouldn't be so soft, you candy-ass." Not the way to win over customers, but oh so true. So very true. The grip should be comfortable, but the grip was designed to sandwich your hand. Having larger hands definitely does make these swords more appealing to me, but sometimes they overdo it, i.e. Cold Steel's tulwar.
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gandermail
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Bill, WEWolf, Slackitude...I need to settle on a name.
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Post by gandermail on Oct 5, 2018 1:40:28 GMT
Having hands that are a little over four inches measured across the palms I'm OK with the grips being a little bigger. Though I could see and probably make an argument for these swords (especially the Leif Ericson) being sufficiently ornate that they had ought to just be hung on the wall to display in which case a properly sized grip would be better.
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Post by MOK on Oct 5, 2018 4:21:33 GMT
I don't think Windlass has much choice but to make their Viking swords with oversize grips. I've read numerous complaints about "the grip is too small, it hurts my hand..." I guess Windlass doesn't want to tell these folks, "Well, if you ever touched anything heavier than a keyboard mouse, your hands wouldn't be so soft, you candy-ass." Not the way to win over customers, but oh so true. It's got nothing to do with modern people being soft-handed pansies, though. Vikings appreciated good ergonomics as much as anyone, and a properly snug grip is more comfortable than a too long one when used as intended. As far as I can tell, the ahistorically long grips became a thing because people wanted to use these swords as if they were Medieval arming swords (because why learn a new thing when you can twist it to kinda sorta fit what you already know instead), and to accommodate modern padded gloves (and then people just got used to that and wanted the long grip even on swords that were NOT meant to be used with padded gloves).
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Post by zabazagobo on Oct 5, 2018 4:40:07 GMT
I don't think Windlass has much choice but to make their Viking swords with oversize grips. I've read numerous complaints about "the grip is too small, it hurts my hand..." I guess Windlass doesn't want to tell these folks, "Well, if you ever touched anything heavier than a keyboard mouse, your hands wouldn't be so soft, you candy-ass." Not the way to win over customers, but oh so true. It's got nothing to do with modern people being soft-handed pansies, though. Vikings appreciated good ergonomics as much as anyone, and a properly snug grip is more comfortable than a too long one when used as intended. As far as I can tell, the ahistorically long grips became a thing because people wanted to use these swords as if they were Medieval arming swords (because why learn a new thing when you can twist it to kinda sorta fit what you already know instead), and to accommodate modern padded gloves (and then people just got used to that and wanted the long grip even on swords that were NOT meant to be used with padded gloves). I'm curious about your views on the snug grip being more comfortable. I'm really used to a universal 'fencing claw' (sort of describes my grip) that spreads out over roughly 4 in., so a grip with space to spare is appreciated. Especially since with a longer grip you can play around with balance and adjust where you grip for preferred handling (I grip most katana with a solid inch at least between my uppermost finger and the tsuba). So it's just a puzzle for me since I'm used to something quite different.
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Post by zabazagobo on Oct 5, 2018 4:40:17 GMT
More on topic though, both of these swords look beautiful. The Erikson has a lot of style points going for it, although the Ashdown just looks like a nearly perfect affordable viking sword. Grip looks all sorts of comfortable and the understated guard and pommel design make it appear rather refined. Going to need to come up with good arguments to talk myself out of nabbing at least one of them.
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Post by zabazagobo on Oct 5, 2018 4:43:42 GMT
The #501651 Lief would be a killer without the fittings fused together. It has been a long time but I believe it was Oakeshott's Archaeology of Weapons where I first saw that but seen elsewhere as well. It looks like Windlass is looking to compete with the costume crowd and rennies with a ready to wear ensemble. That's the exact sort of vibe I've been getting from their print catalogues for the past year or so. Not complaining, some of their stuff is plain quirky and fun. The 'mad scientist' and (if I remember right) 'midnight' (goth vampire) garb struck me as particularly novel. I'd love for someone to don the mad scientist costume and run around a U.S. college campus yelling about inherited traits and natural selection. It'd go over all sorts of well.
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